How To Backup WordPress Site To Computer?

What do crashed sites, failed updates, and human error have in common? They are all fixable… if and only if you have a backup stored securely. Without a backup, you’ll lose some time, data, and lots of patience. 

Imagine spending hours, days, or even weeks crafting your perfect WordPress site, only for it to vanish. It’s a nightmare scenario that no website admin wants to face. A backup serves as a crucial safety net for your data and digital assets, especially when dealing with the unpredictable nature of website management. Regularly backing up your WordPress site is essential to ensure you have a copy of your content and settings, no matter what happens. But how do you go about creating one, and where should you store it? 

There are several ways to backup your WordPress site and even more places to store those backups. This article will show you how to back up your WordPress site to your computer for that added peace of mind. 

TL;DR: Backup your site with BlogVault, and download it to your computer in 5 minutes. BlogVault saves you time and hassle with automatic and real-time backups, with enhanced security,offsite cloud storage, and easy one-click restorations. 

Storing a single backup on your computer is cost-efficient, independent, and offers offline access. However, once you think of more than one backup (and so you should), it comes with significant drawbacks: security risks, potential data loss from hardware failures, limited storage, and the need for constant maintenance.

The risks outweigh the benefits and we recommend you use BlogVault as your primary solution. 

BlogVault provides automated, secure, and hassle-free backups with offsite storage. Even the restorations are quick and it’s better protection from local threats. Simply put, BlogVault is a smarter, safer option. The best part though? You can still export a backup and store it on your computer. One plugin for everything you need.

Let’s talk about how to use BlogVault and a few other ways to backup your site to your computer

1. Using a plugin (RECOMMENDED) 

Backing up your site to your computer is straightforward, the first time. But, if you have to keep doing it, it can quickly become a time-consuming, tedious chore. This is where backup plugins come to the rescue. Plugins like BlogVault streamline the whole backup process, transforming it from a daunting task into a simple, automated routine. These plugins are designed to handle the heavy lifting. With BlogVault, you also get the flexibility to download those backups and store them on your computer. So your site will always be backed up, and you can also store it locally if you want. 

1. Install and activate BlogVault: On your WordPress admin panel, navigate to Plugins in the sidebar. Click on Add New and search for BlogVault. Once you find it, click Install Now and then Activate.

2. Set up BlogVault: After activation, you will be prompted to create or log into your BlogVault account. Follow the instructions to connect your WordPress site to BlogVault. You will have to sign up, pick a subscription and add your site.  

3. Perform a backup: Once you add your site, you don’t have to do anything. BlogVault will take a backup automatically. It will take one, once a day. So, give it a minute and you will find your backups on the dashboard.

4. Export backup to your computer: Once the backup is complete, go to the backups section of BlogVault in the dashboard. Click Details followed by the Download Backups icon at the top. Select the files and databases you want to export. Click Continue. 

A zip folder will be created and downloaded onto your computer.

2. Using a web host 

While backup plugins like BlogVault offer great flexibility and convenience, many web hosting services also provide built-in backup solutions. WP Engine offers an easy way to download a backup to your computer. 

Unfortunately, others like Cloudways and Bluehost take the backups for you but don’t allow you to export them. So, check with your hosting provider before you try it. The method for exporting the database will also change depending on the host. 

1. Navigate to site settings: Start by logging into your WP Engine account. On the WP Engine dashboard, find and click on Sites in the sidebar. This will display a list of all the sites you have hosted with WP Engine. Click on the site you wish to back up. This will take you to the site-specific dashboard. On the site dashboard, click on Backups. This will direct you to the backup management page.

2. Choose a backup: Select a backup from the list. If you want, you can click the Create Backup button and start a fresh backup. It will take a few minutes and then appear in the list of backups, ready to be selected. Click on the meatballs icon (three vertical dots) next to the backup you want to download. Select Prepare Zip from the dropdown menu. 

3. Customize your backup: You’ll be prompted to choose between a Full backup or a Partial backup. Make your selection based on your needs. WP Engine will then prepare the backup in a ZIP file. This may take some time depending on the size of your site.Once the ZIP file is ready, click Download Zip to save the backup to your computer

3. Using cPanel

If your web host doesn’t let you backup your WordPress site to your computer, you can use the cPanel. Again, not all web hosts offer it. For this tutorial, we used Bluehost’s cPanel. 

1. Login to cPanel: Access your hosting account and log in to the cPanel dashboard. You can also find your cPanel login with the following URL: 

https://testsite.com/cpanel

Replace testsite with your domain.

2. Access the Backup Wizard: In the cPanel dashboard, look for the Files section and click on Backup Wizard. 

2. Generate a backup: Click on Backup to start the process. You will be asked to choose between creating a full or partial backup. You’ll be required to enter a valid email address where cPanel will send a notification once the backup is complete. Click on Generate Backup. Depending on the size of your site, it may take a few minutes to complete the backup process.

4. Download your backup: Once the backup is generated and you receive the email notification, go back to the Backup Wizard. Click on the link provided in the notification email or the cPanel interface. This will download the backup file to your computer.

4. Manual backup to your computer

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, manually downloading your WordPress site is an option. It requires files and databases to be backed up separately. This method is very time-consuming and prone to errors. But, here’s how you can do it:

1. Downloading site files

• Using File Manager

This method requires you to have cPanel access. Not all web hosts offer it. But, if they do, you can use its File Manager to export all your files to your computer. 

1. On the cPanel dashboard, locate the Files section and click on File Manager. This tool allows you to manage and download your website files.

2. Navigate to the directory where your WordPress site is installed. This is often the public_html folder, but it may differ depending on your setup. Select all the files and folders related to your WordPress site. Click on Compress from the menu options.

3. Choose a compression format (e.g., ZIP).

4. Scroll down and select the directory in which the backup will be stored and confirm.

5. Once the compression is complete, locate the compressed file in the File Manager.
6. Right-click the file and select Download to save it to your computer.

• Using an FTP client

If your web host doesn’t offer cPanel, you can use this method. You will need to download an FTP client like Cyberduck or FileZilla though. For this article, we’re using Cyberduck. You will also need the FTP credentials (host, username, and password) provided by your web hosting service.

1. Connect to your server: Click Open Connection on the top. Choose between SFTP or FTP and enter your FTP credentials (host, username, and password). Click Connect.

2. Download all the files The root directory is where all your files are. It’s often called the public_html folder or a subdirectory if you’ve installed it there. Select all the files. Right click and click Download To. Then, select where you want to download it to.

2. Download database

• Using phpMyAdminTo Backup Database Using phpMyAdmin, access your cPanel dashboard if you have access. On the cPanel dashboard, find the Databases section and click on phpMyAdmin

1. Access your cPanel dashboard if you have access..On the cPanel dashboard, find the Databases section and click on phpMyAdmin. Alternatively, you can append /phpmyadmin to your site URL to access the database manager.
2. In phpMyAdmin, locate the list of databases on the left sidebar.
3. Click on the database associated with your WordPress site.
4. Scroll down, select all the files. Then, in the “With Selected” dropdown menu, click on Export.

5. Choose the export method. Quick is usually sufficient. Select the format as SQL and click Go.

5. A SQL file containing your database will be generated. This file will automatically be downloaded to your computer or you will be prompted to save it.

If you don’t have phpMyAdmin, your web host may use Adminer or have its own database manager. The steps are very likely to be similar. Check with your web host first. 

Best practices for backups

Backing up your WordPress site is essential for safeguarding your data, but how you go about it can make all the difference. Adopting best practices ensures that your backups are reliable, secure, and effective when you need them the most. Here are some critical guidelines to follow:

• Perform regular backups: Determine a backup frequency that aligns with the criticality of your data. For frequently updated sites, consider daily backups; for others, weekly may suffice. Utilize automated backup solutions to ensure regular and consistent backups without manual intervention.
• Keep multiple copies: We recommend that you use the 321 backup strategy. This practice prevents data loss from a single point of failure and offers additional layers of protection. Store backups in different physical and digital locations, such as offsite or cloud storage, to safeguard against physical disasters like fires or floods.
• Use versioning: Keep different versions of your backups, allowing you to restore data from various points in time. This is useful for recovering from errors or corruption that may have been introduced recently.
• Encrypt backups: Encrypt your backups to protect against unauthorized access. Encryption ensures that even if your backup files are compromised, your site and data remains secure.
• Test backups: Periodically test your backups by performing restoration exercises. This confirms that your backups are complete and can be successfully restored when needed.

Tip: Consider archiving your WordPress site when it is no longer actively used or if you plan to take it offline temporarily. Archiving keeps your site data intact without occupying valuable server space.

Final thoughts

​​Backups are essential for safeguarding your WordPress site against unexpected data loss, corruption, and other disasters. While storing backups on your computer is one way to ensure data redundancy, it can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Manual downloads require constant attention and can quickly consume your computer’s storage space, impacting system performance. Local backups are vulnerable to hardware failures, malware attacks, and physical disasters like fires or floods. Moreover, manual restores with local backups tend to fail often. There is no point of a backup if you can’t restore it when needed.

Instead, we recommend using BlogVault. BlogVault automates the backup process, ensuring regular, consistent backups without manual intervention. Their offsite storage provides enhanced security, protecting your backups from local threats while offering quick and easy restorations with just one click. BlogVault also maintains multiple versions of your backups, allowing you to restore your site to any previous state. With features like encryption and automated updates, BlogVault offers a more efficient and secure solution for keeping your WordPress site protected, freeing you from the hassles associated with manual backups.

FAQs

How do I export my entire WordPress site?

To export your entire WordPress site, use a backup plugin like BlogVault. Once you install the plugin, you will need to set it up. The whole process will take just a few minutes and the plugin will automatically take a full backup. Within minutes, your files and database tables will be backed up to their servers. After that, click Details in the Backups section. Then, click the Download backups icon. Files and databases will automatically be selected. Then, click Continue. That’s it! You’ve exported your site. 

How do I back up all my WordPress pages?

To back up all your WordPress pages, you can use a plugin like BlogVault. Just install the plugin and set it up. It will take a backup of your full site—pages and all.  

How do I download a WordPress site to my computer?

You can manually download your WordPress site to your computer using an FTP client for the files and phpMyAdmin for the database.

To download your files:

• Use an FTP client like FileZilla.
• Connect to your server using your FTP credentials.
• Navigate to the directory containing your WordPress files (often “public_html”).
• Select all files and download them to your computer.

To download your database:

• Login to cPanel and open phpMyAdmin.
• Select your WordPress database from the sidebar.
• Click the Export tab, choose the Quick method, and hit Go to download the SQL file.

Alternatively, use BlogVault or a similar plugin to easily create and download a complete backup.

How do I automatically back up my WordPress site?

To automate your WordPress site backups, use a reliable backup plugin. We recommend BlogVault for its ease of use and robust features. After installing and activating the plugin, navigate to its settings from your WordPress dashboard. BlogVault automatically backs up your site daily.